Vehicular transmission sensor apparatus responsive to gear selection

ABSTRACT

A vehicular transmission sensor having an electrical output responsive to gear selection is shown having a plurality of sealed electrical switches mounted within the transmission housing. In a first embodiment a cam plate is disposed on a face of the detent lever and is movable therewith relative to the switches. The switches are each provided with a follower which moves between switch contacts engaged and switch contacts disengaged positions in dependence on the angular position of the cam plate. In a second embodiment a switch arm mounting a plurality of first switch contacts is movable with the detent lever into and out of engagement with respective second switch contacts mounted in a sealed stationary housing.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 07/819,439 filed Jan. 10, 1992 which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,178.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to vehicular transmissions and more particularly to means to provide an electrical output responsive to gear selection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is conventional to mount a rotary switch on the transmission housing externally thereof to receive mechanical gear selection inputs from the operator of the vehicle through various linkages and output gear selections to a decoder module and the transmission electronic control unit via electronic signals. The switch includes a quadrant with a selected number of electrical contact segments disposed thereon with each segment providing an output to the decoder module. The manual valve controlling hydraulic operation of the transmission is mechanically coupled to a plate having indexing detents, called a detent lever, mounted on a shaft and pivotably movable therewith. The shaft extends through the transmission housing wall and a switch bar is fixedly attached to the shaft externally of the transmission housing so that when a vehicle operator selects a gear, the switch bar within the rotary switch moves across the quadrant to a predetermined position to engage one or more of the electrical contact segments. In certain systems the electronic control monitors the gear position along with other inputs relative to such things as throttle position, output shaft speed, engine speed, engine load and so on.

Although this switch system is widely used it suffers from certain limitations and disadvantages. Securing the switch housing to the transmission housing in correct angular orientation, either during initial installation or in-service, requires either special tools to align a reference feature of the shaft following component, i.e., the switch bar, to the rotary switch housing or it entails the monitoring of electrical continuity of switch contacts while rotating the housing relative to the shaft. Additionally, locating the switch outside the transmission housing and removed from the manual valve results in an undesirable tolerance build-up involving all the linking elements. Further, the switch is located in a splash zone, particularly when used with four wheel drives, necessitating the provision of sealing means to prevent entry of water. The extra cost for such sealing means including venting tubes and the like adds significantly to the cost of the system.

In copending application Ser. No. 805,215, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,254, incorporated herein by means of this reference, a switch system is disclosed and claimed comprising pressure switches mounted on a bracket within the transmission housing and coupled to selected hydraulic passages and having electrical circuit traces on the bracket. A movable contact is operatively connected to the manual valve and is movable therewith so that the position of the movable contact tracks the manual valve position and moves into and out of engagement with stationary contact segments disposed on the bracket. The pressure switch outputs are incorporated into a resistor network with the manual valve position sensor. The system provides a voltage output to the powertrain electronic controller which interprets the output as a particular transmission event, for example, a gear selection.

While this latter system is effective to provide an indication of the gear selected it cannot be used over the full stroke in certain transmission assemblies in which the valve moves inside of the housing. Further, there is a need to provide relatively high and low current switching dependent upon particular gear selections, for example to permit starting only in specific gear selections, to energize reverse lights when in reverse gear, to energize park accessories when in park, etc.

External switches mounted outside the transmission housing or on the operator gear selector have been used for this purpose; however, they suffer from the same problems described above in relation to the position sensors. That is, switches mounted externally of the transmission housing are located in a hostile environment subject to water splash and the like resulting in significant high warranty costs. Further, such switches have inherent problems relating to difficulty involved in installation and are susceptible to changes in alignment relative to the manual valve, particularly switches located in the passenger compartment.

It has been proposed to locate a switching system within the transmission housing using discrete magnets attached to the detent lever along with fixedly positioned magnetic sensors to control energization of the several circuits dependent upon the position of the manual valve; however, temperature changes affect their operation and changes occur to the magnets themselves over time. Further, electromagnetic compatibility of the system presents a problem. The transmission fluid tends to pick up ferromagnetic particles generated by rotating components such as gears which are attracted to the magnets thereby adversely affecting switching sensitivity.

It has also been proposed to place conductive traces on the detent lever and position wipers to engage the traces as the detent lever pivots; however, this has not been satisfactory for several reasons including the difficulty of assuring adequate contact force as well as environmental concerns.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an electric switching assembly dependent upon gear selection which is free of the limitations of the prior art mentioned above. Another object is the provision of a switch system which can be located within the transmission housing of a vehicle which is simple, reliable and has improved longevity. Yet another object is the provision of such a system which is easily installed and which requires no post installation adjustment.

Other objects, advantages and details of the transmission sensor and switch system of this invention appear in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, an internal mode switch system for use with motor vehicle transmissions having a detent lever provided with a plurality of detents on an outer edge thereof with a roller spring biased into engagement with the outer edge comprises a cam plate mounted on the detent lever and movable therewith which cooperates with a plurality of electrical switches mounted in an elongated housing having one end mounted on the manual lever shaft of the transmission and an opposite end coupled to the roller attached to the detent spring. A follower is slidably mounted in each switch and biased to project outwardly therefrom into engagement with the cam plate so that as the cam plate moves with the detent lever the follower is caused to move toward and away from movable contact means within each respective switch to cause the contacts of the switch to move into and out of engagement.

According to a feature of the invention the electrical contacts are disposed in a sealed chamber impervious to dirt, water and the like. According to other features of the invention the switches employ high reliability snap acting discs; the cam is coded for each of the switches to provide desired switch output; positive registration of the cam plate and switch housing relative to pertinent datums eliminates adjustment and the system is supplied assembled to the detent lever as a fully tested, readily installed sub-assembly.

According to a second embodiment a switch housing is mounted on the manual lever shaft and coupled with the roller to maintain the housing stationary relative to the transmission housing. A switch arm fixedly mounted to the manual lever shaft and mounting a plurality of first electrical contacts extends into the switch housing and moves with the detent lever into and out of engagement with respective second electrical contacts mounted on the switch housing. Annular seals are disposed between a hub of the switch arm and the switch housing to prevent ingress of metal particles and debris into the switch housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention refers to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicular transmission detent lever mounted on a manual lever shaft incorporating the sensor/switch system made in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a switch shown in the actuated, contacts engaged position;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a housing useful with the present invention, partly broken away and with the top portion removed for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a switch housing according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a movable switch arm used in the FIG. 4 switch housing.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, numeral 10 represents a sensor/switch system made in accordance with the invention. A conventional detent lever 12 is shown disposed in a transmission housing (shown schematically by dashed line 14) mounted on a manual lever shaft 16 which extends outside the transmission housing in a conventional manner. Detent lever 12 has an outer edge 18 having a plurality of detents 20 with a roller 22 biased by detent spring 24 (shown schematically) toward the longitudinal axis of shaft 16 and into engagement with surface edge 18 of the detent lever.

A cam plate 30 is fixedly attached to a face surface of detent lever 12 in any conventional manner and is movable with detent lever 12 as it pivots in response to rotational movement of manual shaft 16 upon shifting by the operator of the vehicle.

A switch housing 40, generally elongated having one end 42 mounted on shaft 16 and an opposite end 44 provided with bifurcated portions or arms 44a and 44b adapted to receive therebetween roller 22 so that housing 40 remains in a fixed axial position as shaft 16 and detent lever 12 pivot. It will be understood that roller 22 is free to move radially between portions 44a and 44b toward and away from the longitudinal axis of shaft 16 as determined by surface edge 18.

A plurality of switches 50 are mounted in housing 40 adapted to cooperate with cam plate 30 to effect opening and closing of circuits in a desired manner determined by the angular position of detent lever 12.

With reference to FIG. 2 one of the switches is shown in cross section. The switch comprises a base 52 formed of suitable material such as a moldable phenolic and has a recess 54 formed in one surface with a bore 56 extending from the recess to a surface in an opposite side of base 52. An upper housing portion 58 received on base 52, formed of suitable moldable, electrically insulative material, has a switching chamber in the form of a recess 60 formed in a surface thereof and has an electrical contact 62 disposed on the bottom of the recess. Contact 62 is preferably connected to the battery and may be an elongated wire like element embedded in housing portion 58 and adapted to extend to a suitable connector as will be described below in connection with FIG. 3. A switching element such as a snap acting, electrically conductive disc 64 is connected to ground and is disposed over recess 60 with a flexible diaphragm 66 received over both recess 60 of upper housing 58 and recess 54 of base 52 to effectively seal the switching chamber.

A spherical element, such as a ball bearing 68 is disposed in bore 56 and is biased away from recess 54 by a suitable spring such as coil spring 70 which extends from ball 68 to diaphragm 66. Bore 56 is preferably formed with an inwardly extending lip 72 to maintain ball 68 within bore 56 during assembly. Ball 68 functions as a follower whose position is dependent upon the position of cam 30.

The switches preferably have no preload thereby preventing unintended switching under vibration. Spring 70 is preferably formed of creep resistant material such as chrome silicon alloy steel to eliminate fatigue and minimize spring set and is chosen to have a low spring rate thereby minimizing cam wear.

As shown in FIG. 2, cam 30 is in engagement with ball 68 forcing the ball inwardly or toward the switch chamber. This movement increases the force on spring 70 causing snap acting disc 64, movable between opposite dished configurations, normally in a downwardly facing convex configuration out of engagement with contact 62 (not shown) to snap to its opposite downwardly facing concave position in engagement with contact 62 (or somewhat flat position due to the limitation of its movement by contact 62) as shown in the figure. Disc 64 is electrically connected to a suitable circuit lead so that a closed circuit is effected in the FIG. 2 condition. When detent lever 12 and cam plate 30 move further to the right as viewed in FIG. 2 and ball 68 is allowed to move into space 32 in camplate 30. The force on disc 64 is decreased allowing the disc to snap back to its normal downwardly facing convex, disengaged position to open the circuit.

Although switches 50 have been described having snap acting switching elements it is within the purview of the invention to employ other switching mechanisms responsive to the movement of a cam follower.

Cam plate 30 is formed with a selected profile such that selected open and closed switch combinations result from each of a selected number, e.g., seven distinct gear states and a default disconnect state, although the particular number of states is a matter of choice and can easily be changed by providing a different number of switches. In the particular embodiment being described one of the four switches either opens or closes with every change in gear position to provide a parity bit as shown in Table I.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                         Transmission Code (Pins)                                                       Position     50A    50B        50C  50D                                        ______________________________________                                         P            0      --         --   0                                          R            0      0          --   --                                         N            --     0          --   0                                          D            --     0          0    --                                         3            0      0          0    0                                          2            0      --         0    --                                         l            --     --         0    0                                          ______________________________________                                    

In table I 0 denotes a closed switch or logic low.

FIG. 3 shows a housing and switch assembly 400 with a top portion removed for illustration useful with the present invention comprising a base 520 in which are disposed pins P1, if P2, P3, P4 and P5. Pins P2-P5 are each electrically connected in any conventional manner as by welding, to a respective contact 62. A pair of disc strips 640 have cut-out portions 642 forming switching stations 50A, 50B, 50C and 50D which are each formed into a snap acting disc 64 in a known manner. Pin P1 is electrically connected to strip 640 as by welding thereto. Pin P1 is connectable to ground while pins P2-P5 are connectable to the vehicle battery. Switches made from strips of snap acting discs adapted to move into and out of engagement with a wire like contact embedded in a base member are known in the art and for more specific detail on their construction reference may be had to U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,174 which issued to the assignee of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a second embodiment is shown comprising a switch housing 80 having a base plate 82 provided at a free end thereof with a bifurcation forming a slot 84 which receives roller 22 therein. A plurality of arcuately extending stationary contacts 86a, 86b, 86c and 86d are disposed on the top surface of base plate 82 electrically isolated therefrom by any conventional means, as on a suitable circuit board 87.

An elongated switch arm 88 extends from a hub portion 90 along the top surface of base plate 82 generally in parallel relation thereto. Switch arm 88 mounts on its lower surface, as seen in FIG. 4, a plurality of second electrical contacts 92a, 92b, 92c and 92d, one for each of the stationary contacts and being aligned therewith. In order to limit movement of switch arm 88 to that of manual shaft 16 hub portion 90 is fixed to the shaft as by forming on the shaft a pair of parallel flat surfaces 90a which mate with a corresponding pair of parallel flat surfaces 16a formed on manual shaft 16 so that switch arm 88 is keyed to shaft 16 fixing its angular orientation to that of the shaft and movable therewith.

A top switch housing cover 94 is received over base plate 82 and is fixed thereto in any suitable manner. Base plate 82 and housing cover 94 are each provided with an annular seal seat 96, 98 respectively in a bore which receives hub 90 which in turn is received on manual shaft 16. Lip seal 100 is disposed in seat 96 and lip seal 102 is disposed in seat 98 to seal switch housing 80 from the ingress of metal particles and debris into the switch contact zone.

Electrical contact members 92a-92d (see FIG. 5), are configured as elongated spring fingers biased downwardly so that they will engage base plate 82 when assembled in switch housing 80. Thus, as manual shaft 16 is turned, contact fingers 92a-92d will wipe along the top surface of circuit board 87 on base plate 82 and will engage respective stationary contact traces 86a-86d at selected angular positions of shaft 16.

The embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 provides a sliding contact system which obviates prior art problems in which adjacent electrical contacts are subject to electrical shorting by conductive particles and slivers generated during normal operation of an automatic transmission.

It will be seen that the sensor/switch made in accordance with the invention provides an excellent reference to the mechanical system, i.e., the manual shaft and detent spring; can be completely sealed and utilizes battery voltage operation with no EMC concerns.

Conventional external switches described above in relation to the prior art have three primary functions, i.e., they permit starter engagement in Park and Neutral only, they control back-up lamp operation and they output gear mode by means of a 4 bit code. The Park/Neutral high current start circuit is maintained separate from the PRNDL low current code circuits. The control made in accordance with the present invention provides a code output continuous throughout the gear selector range with no indeterminate states existing upon transfer from one gear selection to the next.

An alternate approach of providing output to enable computer controlled starter operation while preventing unintended vehicle motion during starter operation when transmission manual valve hydraulic overlap exists, one of the four bits can be used to exclusively indicate Park and Neutral with the three remaining bits used to indicate appropriate gear selection, such as PRNDL, by means of the code, as shown in Table II.

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                         Transmission                                                                               Code (Pins)                                                        Position    50A    50B      50C  50D                                           ______________________________________                                                                          (Park/Neutral)                                P           0      --       --   0                                             R           0      0        --   --                                            N           --     0        --   0                                             D           --     0        0    --                                            3           0      0        0    --                                            2           0      --       0    --                                            l           --     --       0    --                                            ______________________________________                                    

A logical check of the decoded three bit output against the P/N switch output can easily be performed to provide fault detection.

Among the advantages provided by the invention include an accurate narrow band for Park and Neutral indication for safe starter operation. The interpretation of the switch assembly output using a decoder or PCM (Powertrain Control Module) to control starter operation provides opportunities for improved control such as prohibiting operation with the engine running, control maximum starter operating time to prevent starter motor overheating and prevent starter engagement during transmission hydraulic operation. The invention provides improved accuracy in gear selection indication by eliminating adjustment and tolerance buildup thereby permitting the assembly output to be used for transmission control strategy. The switch assembly location in the transmission housing prevents physical and handling damage and installation at the time of transmission assembly results in no adjustment being required providing cost and quality improvements.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations of the structure described can be made to accomplish essentially the same purpose. All such variations within the scope of the claims are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. A switch system for use with motor vehicle transmission apparatus having a pivotably mounted manual shaft and a detent lever with a plurality of detents on an outer edge surface thereof, each detent corresponding to a specific transmission gear selection, the detent lever being mounted on the shaft so that the angular orientation of the detent lever is fixed to that of the shaft, comprising a switch housing mounted adjacent the detent lever, the switch housing having a base, a switch arm mounted on the shaft so that the angular orientation of the switch arm is fixed to that of the shaft, the switch arm extending into the switch housing spaced from the base, switch means mounted within the switch housing including at least one first electrical contact being mounted on the switch arm and at least one second electrical contact being mounted on the base, the first electrical contact being slidable between respective contacts engaged and contacts disengaged positioned with the second electrical contact as the manual shaft and switch arm are pivoted, and means for electrically energizing the switch and for outputting a signal therefrom corresponding to the respective contacts engaged and disengaged position.
 2. A switch system for use with motor vehicle transmission apparatus having a detent lever with a plurality of detents on an outer edge surface thereof, each detent corresponding to a specific transmission gear selection, the detent lever being pivotable about an axis, a roller movable toward and away from the axis biased toward the outer edge surface, a switch housing mounted within the transmission adjacent the detent lever, the switch housing having an end pivotably mounted and an opposite and coupled to the roller so that the detent lever, when pivoted about the axis, moves relative to the switch housing, switch means having first and second electrical contacts movable relative to one another between contacts engaged and contacts disengaged positions, means to cause the contacts to move into a contacts engaged positioned at a selected angular position of the detent lever and means for electrically energizing the switch means and for outputting a signal therefrom corresponding to the respective contacts engaged and disengaged position.
 3. A switch system for use with motor vehicle transmission apparatus according to claim 2 in which the switch means comprises four separate switches, the transmission having PRNDL gear positions, the switch system having a four bit output code, one bit used exclusively to indicate P and N with the remaining three bits used to indicate the gear position by means of the code.
 4. A switch system according to claim 2 in which the switch housing includes a base, a switch arm being disposed within the housing fixedly mounted relative to the manual shaft so that the angular orientation of the switch arm relative to the manual shaft remains constant, at least a portion of the switch arm being disposed in the switch housing generally parallel to and spaced from the base, the switch means mounted within the switch housing including at least one first electrical contact mounted on one of the switch arm and the base and at least one spring biased second electrical contact being mounted on the other of the switch arm and the base, one of the first and second electrical contacts being slidable between respective contacts engaged and contacts disengaged positions with the other of the first and second electrical contact as the manual shaft and switch arm are pivoted and means to seal the switch housing.
 5. A switch system for use with motor vehicle transmission apparatus having a pivotably mounted manual shaft and a detent lever with a plurality of detents on an outer edge surface thereof, each detent corresponding to a specific transmission gear selection, the detent lever being mounted on the shaft so that the angular orientation of the detent lever is fixed to that of the shaft, comprising a switch housing fixedly mounted adjacent the detent lever, the switch housing having a base, a switch arm mounted on the shaft so that the angular orientation of the switch arm is fixed to that of the shaft, the switch arm extending into the switch housing generally parallel to and spaced from the base, switch means mounted within the switch housing including at least one first electrical contact being mounted on one of the switch arm and the base, and at least one spring biased second electrical contact being mounted on the other of the switch arm and the base, one of the first and second electrical contacts being slidable between respective contacts engaged and contacts disengaged position with the other electrical contact as the manual shaft and switch arm are pivoted, and means for electrically energizing the switch and for outputting a signal therefrom corresponding to the respective contacts engaged and disengaged position.
 6. A switch system for use with motor vehicle transmission apparatus according to claim 5 in which the switch means comprises four separate switches, the transmission having PRNDL gear positions, the switch system having a four bit output code, one bit used exclusively to indicate P and N with the remaining three bits used to indicate the gear position by means of the code.
 7. A switch system for use with motor vehicle transmission apparatus according to claim 5 in which the switch arm comprises a hub portion formed with a bore therethrough, the manual shaft being receivable in the bore and being keyed to the hub.
 8. A switch system for use with motor vehicle transmission apparatus according to claim 7 in which the key comprises mating flat surfaces on the bore of the hub and the outer periphery of the manual shaft.
 9. A switch system for use with motor vehicle transmission apparatus according to claim 7 in which the switch housing has first and second opposite ends, a bore being formed through the housing adjacent the first end of the switch housing and being adapted to receive therein the switch arm hub portion, the second end being formed with a slot for receiving a roller mounted to engage the detent lever thereby maintaining the angular orientation of the housing fixed.
 10. A switch system for use with motor vehicle transmission apparatus according to claim 9 further including the means to seal the switch housing including first and second seal seats formed in the switch housing bore disposed on either side of the switch arm extending from the hub portion and an annular seal received in each seal seat between the switch housing and the switch arm hub portion.
 11. A switch system for use with motor vehicle transmission apparatus according to claim 5 in which the spring biased second electrical contact comprises an elongated finger extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the switch arm to the base. 